Well tool



H. C. OTIS WELL TOOL 3 shets-sneet 1 lwzo.

Filed Dec.

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WELL TOOL Filed Dec. l, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented July 25, 1933 UNITED STATES y HERBERT C. OTIS, OF SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA WELL TOOL Application ined December 1, 1930. serial No. 499.872. U

oi' the inlet or screen section of a string of tubing, with respect to the bottom of the well in which the tubing is set, frequently affects the oil and gas production of a {iowing oil well operating under high pressure; and that by raising or lowering the string of tubing a short distance in the well lthe production of both oil and gas may be varied materially.

One object of the present invention is to provide a practical and eliicient devlce capable of being used as a tubing seal, or as a tubing choke, which may be readily set at any desired place in the string of tubing and which may be-readilyl removed from the string of tubing Without pulling the string of tubing.

Another object of the invention is to provide an actuating device in conjunction with a setting tool or with a pulling tool, cor-operating with the obstructive device, whereby the obstructive device may be lowered into or removed from the string of tubing and whereby the sealing or choking device may be set in the tubing or released therefrom..

Other objects of the invention and the construction of the device, in detail, will be fully disclosed hereinafter, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Fig. l is a longitudinal sectional elevation through a portion of a well casing showing a string of tubing set within the casing; and the assembled actuating, setting and obstructive devices as being lowered within the said string of tubing;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. l, but showing an alternative manner of attaching the setting and actuating device to the obstructive device;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but showing the obstructive device as being withdrawn from the string of tubing by use of a pulling device interposed between the actuating and obstructive devices;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional elevation, drawn on an enlarged scale, showing the obstructive device being used as a temporary seal, for the string of tubing;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, but showing certain elements of the obstructive device removed to cause the obstructive device to function as a choke for the string of tubing;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to 'either Fig. 4 or Fig. 5, and showing the pulling and actuating devices in operative position with respect to the obstructive device to effect release of the obstructive device from the Wall of the string of tubing, to permit the obstructive device to be removed from the string of tubing.

Fig. 7 is a sectional plan view taken on the line 7 7, Fig. 6;

Fig". 8 is a sectional plan view taken on the line 8 8, Fig. 5;

Fig. 9 is a sectional plan view taken on the line 9 9, Fig. 6;

Fig. A.10 is a sectional plan taken on the line 10-10, Fig. 1;

Fig. 11 is a sectional elevation taken on the line 11-11, Fig. 10; and

Figs. 12, 13 and 14 illustrate modified forms of details of the invention.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, a portion of a well casing is indicated at l. Within the casing lis located a string of tubing 2, and within the string of tubing 2 is located an obstructive device 10, which forms the subject of the present invention.

The obstructive device 10, see Fig. 4, comprises a mandrel 11 having a central axial bore 12 extending completely through the mandrel from end to end thereof. The mandrel 11 comprises an upper straight Walled cylindrical section 13 threaded at 14, adjacent its upper end, for the reception of an externally disposed collar 15, The lowadapted to engage the inner surface of the' strin of tubing2, to maintain the obstructive evice 10 1n apredetermined position within the string ofr tubing 2. p

The inner surfaces 23 of the assembled segmental sections 21, of the gripping element'20, taper in accordance with the ta er of the external surface of the frusto-conical section 18 of the mandrelll, so that, upon relative longitudinal movement being effected between the gripping element 20 and the frusto-conical section 18, of the mandrel 11, the gripping element 20 will be caused to expand or contract, to effect'either len-` gaging or releasing movement, as the case may be, of the teeth 22, of the gripping element 20, with respect to the inner surface of the string of tubing 2.

Each of the segmental slip sections 21 of the grippingelement 20 is supported by la spring tongue 24`which, in the present in,- stance, is in the'form of a circularrod having one end 25 .threaded into a suitably threaded opening in the upperend of the 1 slip section 21, thepopposite end 26 of the rodv 24 being threaded into a1 suitably threaded opening formed `in an annular rounds and is adapted `to slide on the upper cylindrical section 13 of the' mandrel 11.

The slip carrier 28 comprises a cylindrical body section 29 extending Vvertically'from the annular flange 26 and is-provided at its upper end with an annular flange 30 having a radially undercut lower edge'` 31 and a plurality of openings 3 2 formed in and spaced circumferentially `of the outer perlpherall surface of the annular flange 30, for purposes hereinafter set forth.

The upper edge of the slip carrier 28 is beveled as shown at 33 for engagement with the lower bevel edge 16 of the collar 15 of the mandrel 11, as will be fully explained hereinafter.

At the lower end of the frusto-conical section 18 the mandrel 11 is provided with an annular Harige 35 and below the flange 35 the mandrel 11 is lprovided with a lower straight walled cylindrical section 36, of relatively smaller diameter than the flange 35 providing a shoulder 37 on the mandrel, 65 formed by the lower face of the ange 35.

in a chamber 56. flange 27 of Aa slip carrier 28 which sur that portion of the string of tubing lying above the said obstructing device 10.

The uppermost of. the cup Washers 40 abuts against the shoulder 37 on the mandrel 11 and is held in position by a spacing ring 45. The lower surface Vof the ring 45 provides an abutment 46 for the next lower cup washer 40, one of such spacing rings 45 being provided between each adjacent pair of the cup washers l The lowermost cupfwasher 40 is maintained in position by a locking ring 47, which is similar in 4construction to the spacing rings with the exception that the locking ring 47 is provided with internal threads 48 that are adapted to cooperate with external threads 49 formed on the lower end of the outer surface of the lower vcylindrical section 36 of the mandrel 11.

Within the bore 12 ofthe mandrel 11, adjacent the lower end of" the lower cylindrical section l36 thereof, the saidmandrel is provided witha valveor"choke bushing 50 having a central bore 51 'adapted to per mit a flow throughthe obstructing device 10- under predeterminedcondi-tions, The

lower end of the bore 51 o f the bushing 50 is beveled, as indicated at 52, to. provide a seat for a ball valve 55|-which is confined The valve chamber 56 is'V formed within a valvelretaining element 60,- which` is provided'y with a s uare, opening 58 in axial alignment with t e bore 51 of the valve bushing 50. The valve-retaining element 60 is internally threaded as indicated at -5'(l for the reception of the external threads 49 of the mandrel 11, whereby the said retaining element 60 is secured to the lower end of said mandrel.

The lower end of 'the mandrel 11 is coun- `terbored and threaded as illustrated at 59 for the reception of a correspondingly threaded portion of the valve or choke bushing 50 whereby the said valve bushing is maintained within the bore 12 of the mandrel 11.

When the obstructing device 10 is used as orizontally disa' choke within a string of tubing the ren l taining element 60 and the ball valve 55 are eliminated to permit a predetermmately restricted flow from the lower part of the string of tubing to the upper part thereof,

through the bore 51 of the bushing 50 and the bore 12 of the mandrel 11, the bore 51 my co-pending application, Serial No. 431,-

510, filed February l26, 1930.

In the present instance the lowering of the obstructing device 10 into the string o'f tubing 2 and the setting of said device within the string of tubing is'eil'ected by means of a setting tool 65, coupled to and carried on the vlower end of an actuating or jarring device 75, which in turn is suspended withinthe well tubing on an ordinary form of round steel measuring line 100, see Figs. 1 and 2.

'Ille setting tool 65 comprises a hollow cylindrical body section 66 in which, at a predetermined distance above the lower open end thereof, is formed a plurality of openings 67, see Figs..10 and 11. Located in each of the openings 67 is a relatively soft metallic plug or rivet which may be of copper, brass, or any other desired material. The plugsor pins 70 project inwardly toward the center of the setting tool 65 to enter either the openings 17 of the collar 15 on the upper end of the mandrel 11 as shown in Figs. 1, 10 and 11, or to enter the openings 32 formed in the upper annular flange 30 of the slip carrier 28, as illustrated in Fig. 2. rIhe upper end of the settingtool 65 is provided with an inwardly extending annular flange 68 forming a head having a threaded opening 69 for the reception of the lower threaded end of a central tubular element 76, forming part of the jarring device 75.

The jarring device is of a telescopic construction, see Fig. 6, of which the tubular element 76 forms the inner element While an outer sleeve element 77 is provided to slide longitudinaly of the inner section 76 on the outer surface thereof.

The outer `sleeve section 77 of the telesco ic jarring device 75 comprises a tubular bo y portion 78 having an internal annular flange 79 at its lower end which is rovided with a central bore 80 through w ich the inner tubular section 76 is adapted to slide.

The upper surface of the internal flange 79 provides a shoulder 81 on which the lower surface of a collar 82, that is suitably secured, as by Welding, to and adjacent the upper end of the inner section 76 of the said telescopic jarring device, is adapted, under certain conditions, to rest.

In the present instance, the internal Bange 79 is formed at the lower end of the outer section 77 of the telescopic jarring device 75 by an annular element 83, having a vertically extending flange 84. The lower portion of the body portion 78 is reduced in diameter, as indicated at 85, to. receive the flange 84 of the annular element 83, which is secured to said reduced portion of the body element by welding, as indicated at 86. The outer diameters of the vertically extending flange 84 and the annular element 83 are substantially equal to the outer diameter of the body portion 78 of said jarring device. The central bore 80 of the annular element 83 is of a diameter slightly greater than the outer diameter of the inner tubular section 76 of said jarring device, and thc bore 87 of the body portion 78 of the jarring device 75 is slightly larger in diameter than the outer diameter of the collar 82 on the upper end of the inner tubular section 76 of the jarring device 75, whereby the two relatively movable sections 76 and 77 of the telescopic jarring device 75 will be axially guided in their relative movements with respect to each other.

The upper end of the body portion 78 of the outer sleeve section 77 of the telescopic jarring device 75 is counterbored and threaded as indicated at 88 for the reception of the threaded end 89 of a bail carrier 90. The bail carrier 90 is provided with' an annular flange 91 providing a shoulder 92 adapted to be jammed down tightly against the surface ofl the upper end of the body portion 78, whereby the bail carrier will be securely connected to the outer sleeve section 77 of the telescopic jarring device 75.

In the upper open end of the bail carrier 90 and extending across said carrier from side to side thereof is a bail 95 to which the one end of the suspending line is secured.

The said bail carrier 90 is provided at its upper end and the annular flange 96 having an under cut shoulder 97 providing means by which the jarring device may be engaged by a fishing device, forming no part of the present invention, in the event of either the suspending line 100 o1' the bail 95.breakin, ',l during the course of operations attending the setting or removal obstructing device 10, in the string of tubing 2. Such a fishing device comprises a plurality of y hooks operatively connected to a suitable carrier which may be suspended Within the string of tubing on the suitable line similar to the line 100, until the hooks take hold under the f'lange 96 of the bail carrier 90.

The assembled unit comprising the obstructing device 10, the setting tool 65 and the jarring device. 75 may be run into the string of tubing 2 in either of the two ways shown in Figs. 1 and 2 respectively.

As shown in Fig. 1, the settingtool 65 is coupled at its upper end to the arring device and at its lower end directly to the colslip elements 21, are. flexed outwardly, so 7 that the said slip elements will drag along the inside surface of the tubing. The assembly is then introduced into the upper end of the string of tubing and lowered within said tubing in the manner and by the same apparatus described in the co-.pending application, Serial N 0,431,510 before mentioned,

v no How being permitted through the string of tubing during this operation.l l

When the assembly has been lowered to the desired depth, by paying out the suspending wire 100 through' thecontrolling mechanism located at the up `er .end of vthe string'of tubing as described 1n the "co-pending application, an upward pull exerted on,

the suspending wire 100 will move the mandrel 11 upwardly through the securing element 20 and the carrier 28. Since the `slip elements 21 of the securing element 20 are engaging lightly against the inner wall of the tubing, raising of the mandrel 11 will cause the holding element 20 to beexpanded radially, thereby jamming the sli elements 21 against the inner wall of -t e tubing, Vwhich sets the obstructing element 10 against any further upward movement in and with respect to the string' of tubing 2.

The coupling plugs 70, which connect the .mandrel 11 to the setting tooll 65, havesufficient shear strength or shear resistance to enable the slip elements 21 to be firmly Set against the inner wall of the tubing and the jamming of the frusto-conieal section 18 of the mandrel in the tapered'opening of the securing element 20 produces suicient friction between the two to maintain the mandrel in the position to which it has been set. Suilicient force is then applied to the suspending wire 100 to cause a relative upward movement of the setting tool with respect to the collar 15 of the mandrel 11, causing the connecting plugs to be sheared, thereby releasing the setting tool 65 from the said mandrel and leaving the obstructing device in its set position Within the string of tubing, as indicated in Figs. 4 and 5. g

The shearing of the connecting plugs70 may be effected by paying out the wire 100 after the obstructing device has been set until the lower surface of the outer sleeve section 77 of the jarring device 75 comes to rest on the upper surface of the internal flange 73 of the setting'tool 65, whereafter 5 a sudden upward movement of the wire 100 and consequently the said sleeve section 77 may be eifected with respect lto the inner section 76 of said jarring device, whereupon .the

`upper surface 81 of the internal flange at.

the lower end of the said outer sleeve section will strike the under surface of the collar 82 on the inner section of the telescopic device 7 5 a hammer blow of suilicient force to cause the shearing of the connecting plugs After the shearing of the plugs 70 which disconnects the setting tool from the obstructing device the said setting tool and the jarrlng device are removed from the well by manipulation of the controllin elements at the upper end of the stringo tubing, in the manner described in the said conding application.

fter the jarring device and settimo' tool have been removed from the string of tubing the valve controlling the flow of .fluid through the string of tubing is opened,

whereupon a flow of fluid upwardly through the strlng of tubing starts immediately. This ow of fluid, in trying to ass through the obstructing device when t e device is e used as a seal, as in Fig. 4, raises the ball valve 55 in the chamber 56 into engagement with the valve seat 52 at the lower end of the bushing 50 located at the lower end of the mandrel 11. Thus the flow of fluid through the bore 12 of the mandrel is stopped. The flow 'of' yfluid in attempting to the closed obstructing device w1 flange sections 42 of the 'cup washers 40, disposed around theoutside of the mandrel ss around cause the A.

11, to be forced into sealing contact with the inner surface of the string of tubing, thus effectively sealin the string of tubing against a flow of uid therethrough.

The other method of running 1n and setting the obstructing device 10 1n the string of tubing, whether the device is to be used as a plug or choke, is to fasten the setting tool 65 to the slip carrier 28 in the manner indicated in Fig. 2, the s oft metal connectlng plugs 70 passing through the openings 67 in the setting tool and into the openings 32 formed in the upper annular flange 30 of the carrier 28. The entire assembly is then introduced to and lowered within the string of tubing through the controlling means at the upper end of the string ofA tubing, in the manner noted in the above mentioned co-pending application, Serial No. 431,510, no flow of fluid through the tubing being permitted while the assembly is tion 18 thereof to expand the securing element 20, until the slip elements 21 thereof are irmly set in gripping contact with the inner wall of the tubing, thus preventing further upward movement of the obstructing device 10, the packing cups-40 aty the same time being expanded into sealing contact with the inner surface of the string of tubing, thereby preventing passage of the luid around the obstructing device 10. l

If the obstructing device 10 is being used as a tubing seal or plug, the check valve or ball 55 is used as indicated in Fig. 4 and this ball will be raised by the upward flow of Huid through the tubing into sealing contact with the valve seat 52, thus preventing a ilow of fluid through the-bore 12 of the mandrel 11.

If the device is being used as a plug, the pressure above the assembly is then permitted to escape immediately after the plug becomes effective to stop the flow of fluid in the string of tubing, whereafter the soft metal connecting plugs 70, by which the setting tool 65 is attached to the carrier 28, may be sheared by a relative movement between the outer slip section 77 of the jarrin device 75 and the inner section 76 thereo the lower Surface of the said outer slip section 77 striking a hammer blow or blows against the upper surface of the internal flange of the setting tool 65, to cause the said cylindrical body section of the setting tool to move downwardly with respect to the flange 30 of the carrier 28, to shear completely the attachment plugs 7 O, there being sufficient clearance between the lower edge of the setting tool 65 and the upper surface of the annular flange 26 of the carrier 218 to permit of the said relative movement between the cylindrical body section of the setting tool 65 and the annular flange 30 of the carrier 28.

The downward hammering of the outer section 77 of the jarring device 75 tends to tighten the hold of the slip elements 21 on the inner surface of the tubing by the tendency to drive the said elements downwardly on the tapering surface of the frusto-conical surface 18 of the mandrel 11.

The shearing of the attachment plugs in this case, as in the case above described, may be effected by an upward jarring movement of the jarring device 75, in which case the iirm gripping contact of the slip elements 2l with the inner surface of the tub'- ing will be sulicient to prevent loosening of the said elements when the jarring device is moved upwardly to shear the attachment pins 70, connecting the carrier 28 with the setting tool 65. I

The jarring device and the setting tool, after shearing of the attachment plugs 70, are then removed from the string of tubing 2, after which the string of tubing itself may by proper manipulation of the control heads and other grouped equipment connected with the well casing and the string of tubing 1n the manner noted in the said copendlng application may be completely removed from the casing 1 or the position of the string of tubing with respect to the oasmg 1 may be varied to any desired extent.

If the obstructing device 1() is to be used as a choke for the string of tubing the check valve 55 and the carrier 10 thereof are eliminated, as indicated in Fig-5.

When setting the obstructing device, for use as a choke, the assembly is introduced into the string of tubing, in the manner above noted, and, when the desired depth is reached, a momentary flow of the well pressure through the tubing is permitted, just long enough to effect the setting of the packmg cups 40 against the inner wall of the tubing, to effect a seal therebetween, and at the same time to effect an upward movement of the mandrel, whereby the slip elements 21 will be expanded against the inner wall of the tubing tightly enough to prevent jerking of the slip elements 21 out of holding contact with the inner wall of the tubing by the shearing of the connecting plugs 70, which is accomplished by the upward jarrmg movement of the jarring device 75, as above noted. j

.During the said momentary flow, the fluid W1ll pass upwardly through the bore 12 of the-mandrel and the jarring device 75, escapmg from the top ofthe jarring device around the bail 95 carried in the bore of the cap section 90 of said jarring device.

The shearing of the connecting plug 70 is then effected and the setting tool and jarring device removed from the string of tubing in the manner above noted. After removal of the jarring device: and setting tool, flow of fluid through the tubing and the obstructing device 10 may be 'permitted for normal operation of the well.

lVhen it is desired to remove the obstructing device from the tubing, when'the obstructing device is being used as a choke, as for the purpose of replacing the choke for one of either larger or smaller diameter, a pulling tool 110 is applied to the inner section 76 of the jarring device 75, in place of the setting tool previously attached thereto, the pulling tool 110 being applied to the telescopic element 76 in the manner indicated in Fig. 6. The assembled unit comprising the jarring device and the pulling tool 110 are then lowered into the string of tubing, in the same manner as the previously inserted unit, as described above.

The pulling tool 110 comprises a head 111 having a suitably threaded axially'aligned opening for the reception of the lower threaded end of the internal element 76 of the jarring device 75.

Depending from the head 111 of the pulling tool is provided with a hollow cylindrivcal body element 112, having parallel longitudinally extending saw-cuts 113, 113, which form in the lower end of the pulling tool a plurality of hook elements 114, 114. 1n order to make the hook elements 114 resilient,l the outer portion of those parts of the body element 112 of which the hook elements 114 are composed is milled out, as indicated at 115. I

The hook elements 114 are each rovided with an inwardly extending shou der 116 radially inclined for the purpose of hooking under the radially inclined shoulder 31 of the slip carrier 28, as will be hereinafter described.

The extreme lower ends of the hooks 114 are also inclined radially as indicated at 117 and the segmental portions of the body section 112 lying intermediate the hooks 114 circumferentially of the body element 112 are beveled as indicated at 118. These intermediate segmental sections are stiffened longitudinally by the means of ribs 119, 119 shown clearly in Fig. 7.

Assuming that the obstructing device 10 is being used as a choke, as indicated in Fig. 5, and that it is desired to withdraw the device from the tubing for the purpose of replacing the choke bushing 50 with one of a different inside diameter, the assembled unit, including the jarring device 75 and pulling tool 110, is inserted in the manner described above, the assembly being lowered through the string of tubing on the wire 100 until the elements assume the position shown in Fig. 6, the beveled lower end of the pulling tool 110 passing downwardly around the upper collared end of the mandrel 11, thence downwardly over the annular flange 30 of the slip carrier 28. until the-underside of the head 111 of the pulling tool rests on the upper surface of the collar 15 of the mandrel 11; and the lower surface of the annular element 86 of the jarring device 75 rests onthe upper surface of the head 111, of the pulling tool 110.` As shown in Fig. 6, the hook shoulders 116 at such time are disposed some distance below the undercut shoulder 31 of the slip carrier 28.

In order to release the obstructing device from the tubing 2 thev wire 100 is raised, which raises the outer sleeve section 77 of the jarring device 75 accordingly, lifting the lower end of said sleeve from the upper surface of the pulling tool. Sudden release of the pulling wire 100'will permit the outer sleeve section 77 to dron and thereby strike a hammer blow on the head of the pulling tool 110, which is transmitted to the upper end of the'mandrel 11. The mandrel 11 in this manner is driven downwardly with respect to the slip elements 21, driving the tapered surface of the frusto-conical section above the obstructing device 18 of the mandrel 11 downwardly through the gripping element 20, thereby permitting said element to contract through the action of the spring ton ues 24, thus releasing thc slip elements 21 groin the inner surface of the string of tubing 2. When this takes place the whole device drops within the string of'tubing, the undercut shoulder 31 of the slip carrier 28 coming to rest on the radially inclined surfaces 116 of the hooks 114 of the pulling tool 110, the mandrel 11 dropping within the slip carrier 28 until the lower beveled surface 16 of the collar 15 on the upper end of the mandrel rests on the beveled surface 33 at the upper end of the slip carrier 28. The device may then be raised through the string of tubing in the manner indicated in Fig. 3.

During this pulling operation, when the device is used as a choke, flow of pressure through the string of tubing is arrested by closing the control valves at the upper end of the string of'tubing, thus the pressure within the strin above and below t e obstructing device, permitting the freeA hammering vmovement of the outer sleeve section of the jarring device and the dropping of the mandrel through the slip carrier under the influence of the hammering action set up by the said jarring device.

When the device has been used as a plug, in the manner indicated in Fig. 4, obviously the pressure below the obstructing device is that of the natural pressure in the well, while the pressure in the string of tubing above the obstructing device is considerably less, and probably atmospheric. It is, therefore, necessary before commencing the hammering operation by the' jarring device to produce a pressure in the string of tubing which will be substantially the same as the well pressure below the obstructing device. This may be accomplished by one of a number of diii'erent ways, such, for example, as by bi-passing well pressure from the casing head into the top ofthe tubing above the plug formed by the obstructing device 10, or by introducing, in the upperend of the string of tubing, a column of either oil or water which will be of sufficient height in the tubing above the plug to equalize the well pressure exerted on theunderside of the plug valve 55, or by a combination of both methods noted. Obviously, any excess pressure introduced above the plug will pass downwardly through the ball check'valve 55 until the pressures above and below the plug are substantially equalized. After equalization of the pressure above and below the obstructof tubing is equalized' ing device, within the string of tubing, has

The loosened obstructing device may then be raised to the surface and removed from the tubing by the handling apparatus above referred to.

As an example of the eiiclcncy of the apparatus described as constituting the subject of the present invention, 1t will be noted that an obstructing device of the nature described has been successfully used as a plug in a well operating at a pressure of 1750 lbs. per sq. in., and held a perfect seal for a period of seventy-two hours, after which the plug was removed in a few minutes by the apparatus and method above described.

If desiredmthe obstructive device may be provided with braking means, such, for example, as that shown in Fig. 12, to prevent the device from moving downwardly in the tubing under its own Weight should the gripping element 20, for any lreason, be released from gripping contact wlth the inside of the tubing when the pressure in the tubing above and below the obstructive device is substantially equal.

The braking means, in the present instance, comprises a plurality of shoes 130 spaced circumferentially of the carrier 28, intermediate the elements 24 which operatively connect the slip segments 21 to the lower ange 27 of the carrier 28. The shoes 130 are spring pressed radially outward into frictional contact with the inside of the tubing 2. In the present instance the shoes and their resilient pressing means are one and the same, each shoe 130 forming one part of a fiat spring 131, the opposite ends 132 and' 133 of which are disposed at an angle to the vertically extending shoe portion 130. The upper'end 132 of the spring 132 is seated in a socket or groove 133 formed in the lower flange 27 of the carrier 28 and is held thereinl and thereto by a screw 134 between the head of which and the spring is a flat sided washer 135, the flat sides of which engage the side walls of the socket groove 134 and prevent the washer from turning.

lVhen lowering the device into the string of tubing when the brakin elements 130 are used the jarring device g5 is permitted to rest on the upper end of the obstructive device and the added weight of the jarring device is suiicient to overcome the braking action of the shoes 130, thus the whole assembly will descend within lthe tubing.

tough but not brittle material. The upper.

end of the rod 24a is reduced as at 26, and

a circular flat head 136 formed on the upper end of the reduced portion. The carrier is drilled as at 137 to receive the head 136, the bore 137 being of a relatively larger diameter than the diameter of the head 136'.

A- slot 138 is provided in the lower wall of the 'bore 137, and extends to the under side of the Han e 27 of the carrier, to receive the reduce portion 26a of the rod 24a. The slot 138 does not extend to the outer peripheral surface of the flange 27, a portion 139 beingpermitted to remain to keep the rod head 136 from moving out of the bore 137.

This arrangement permits radial movement of the slip segment 21 and its connecting rod 24a to a predetermined extent, and permits radial swinging movement of the slip segment, the head 136 rocking in the bore 13 Lateral swinging movement of the slip' segments 21, however, is prevented by the reduced portions 26 of the rods 24a contacting with the side walls of the slots 138.

If desired the bores 137 may be radially inclined so that the rod heads 136 will, at all times, during the raising and lowering of the device, when the slip segments are not in gripping contact with the tubing, move radially inward toward the mandrel and thereby cause the slip segments to move 'correspondingly so that the slip segments able longitudinally on said cylindrical sec' tion, means operatively connecting said carrier and said expansible element, said gripping element being adapted under relative `longitudinal movement between the mandrel and said carrier to be expanded by said conical section into gripping contact with the inner surface of the well tubing, packing means between the mandrel and the said inner surface of the tubing to prevent passage of fluid through the tubing around the outside of said obstructive device, said mandrel having a longitudinally extending opening for permitting a flow of fluid through said obstructive device, and a bushing removably disposed in the longitudinal opening ofthe mandrel and having a bore of smaller area than and communicating with said opening for restricting the flow of fluid through said longitudinal opening.

2. In a well tool comprising an obstructive device adapted to be placed in the tubing of a well, the combination of a mandrel including a frusto-conical section and an integral axially aligned cylindrical section, an expan` sible gripping clement slidable longitudinally on said conical section, a carrier slidable longitudinally on said cylindrical section, means operatively connecting s aid carrier and said expansible element, said gripping element being adapted under relative longitudinal movement between the mandrel and said carrier to be expanded by said conical section into gripping contact with the inner surface of'thevwell tubing, packing means between the mandrel and the said inner surface of the tubing to prevent passage o f fluid through the tubing around the outside of said obstructive device, said mandrel having a longitudinally extending opening for permitting a How of fluid through .said obstructive device,'a bushing mounted in one end of the longitudinal opening in the mandrel and having a valve seat formed therein, a valve lmi adapted to be Seated on said valve seat, and

a cap on said mandrel maintaining said valve in operative relation to said seat.

3. In a well tool comprising an obstructive v device adapted to be placed in the tubing of a well, the combination of a mandrel including a frusto-conical section and an integral axially aligned cylindrical section, an expansible gripping element slidable longitudinally on said conical section, a carrier slidable longitudinally on said cylindrical section', means operativel connecting said carrler and said expansi le element, said gripping element being adapted under relative longitudinal movement between the mandrel and said carrier to` be expanded by said conical section into gripping contact with the inner surface of the well tubin packing means between the mandrel and t e said inner surface of the tubing to prevent passage of iiuid through the tubing around the outside of said obstructive device, said mandrel having a longitudinally extending opening for permitting a flow of uid through said obstructive device, said mandrel having a series of transverse openings adjacent the carrier-supporting end thereof, said carrier having a series oi? transverse openings above the resilient elements carried thereby, a setting tool comprising a cylindrical body` adapted to pass over the said transversely apertured portions of said mandrel and said carrier, said cylindrical body having a series of transverse openings adapted to register respectively with the openings of one of the previously said Series ofv openings, and a series of shear plugs passing respectively through the openings of said body into the series of openings registering therewith for operatively connecting the said setting tool to the obstructive device.

4;. In a well tool comprising an obstructive device adapted to be placed in the tubing of a well, the combination of a mandrel including a frusto-conical section and an integral axially aligned cylindrical section, an expansible gripping element slidable longitudinally on said conical section, a carrier slidable longitudinally on said cylindrical section, means operatively connecting said carrier and said expansible element, said gripping element being adapted under relative longitudinal movement between the mandrel and said carrier to be expanded by said conical section into gripping contact with the inner surface ofthe well tubing, packing means between the mandrel and the said inner surface of the tubing to prevent passage of Huid through the tubing around the outside of said obstructive device, said mandrel having a longitudinlly extending opening lfor permitting a flow of fluid through said obstructive device, said mai1- drel having a series of transverse'openings adjacent the carrier-supporting end thereof, said carrier having a series of transverse openings above the resilient elements carried thereby, a setting tool comprising a cylindrical body adapted to pass over the said transversely apertured portions of said mandrel and said carrier, said cylindrical 'body having a series of transverse openings adapted to register respectively with the openings of one of the previously said series of openings, a series of shear plugs passing respectively through the openings of said body into the series of openings registering therewith for operatively connecting the said setting tool to the obstructive device and a jarring device operatively connected to said setting tool for effecting the shearing of said. connecting plugs.

5. In a well tool comprising an obstructive device adapted to be placed in the tubing of a well, the combination of a mandrel including a frusto-conical section and an inte'gral axially aligned cylindrical section, an expansible gripping element slidable longitudinally on said conical section, a carrier slidable longitudinally on said cylindrical section, means operatively connecting said carrier and said vexpansible element, said gripping elementbeing adapted under relative longitudinal movement between the mandrel and said carrier to be expanded by said conical section into gripping contact with the inner surface of the well tubing, packing means between the mandrel and the said inner surface of the tubing to prevent passage of fluid through the tubing around the outside of said obstructive device, said mandrel having a longitudinally extending opening for permitting a How of fluid through said obstructive device, a collar on .the cylindrical lsection of said mandrel above said carrier, a shoulder on said carrier, a pulling tool comprising a head adapted to rest on the collared end` of said mandrel,

the carrier t0 support the obstructive device..

6. An obstructive device for well tubing, comprising a mandrel having a longitudinal bore extending from end to end thereof, a

cylindrical section adjacent each of the re spective ends of saidmandrel, a frusto-conical section intermediate said cylindrical sections, an expansible gripping element on said frusto-conical section, a carrier on one of said cylindrical sections, means operatively connecting said carrier with said expansible gripping element, a collar on the carrier-supporting cylindrical section for retaining said carrier on said cylindrical section, packing means carried by the other of said cylindrical sections, and a bushing threaded into one end of said through bore and having a bore of relatively smaller diameter than thesaid through bore of the mandrel.

7. An obstructive device for well tubing, comprising a mandrel having a lon itudinal bore extending from end to end t ereof, a cylindrical section adjacent each of the respective ends of said mandrel, a frustoconical section intermediate said cylindrical sections, an expansible gripping element on said frusto-conical section, a carrier on one of said cylindrical sections, means operatively connecting said carrier with said expansible gripping element, a collar on the carriersupporting cylindrical section'for retaining said carrier on said cylindrical section, packing means carried by the other of said cylindrical sections, a bushing threaded into one end of said throughbore and having a Vbore of relatively smaller diameter than the said through bore of the mandrel, a ball valve adapted to be seated in the lower end of the bore of said bushing, and an apertured cap on the said mandrel providing a chamber for said ball valve.

8. An obstructive device for use within the bore of a flow string of tubing in a well, said device comprising a mandrel freely `movable within and with respect to said tubing and comprising a frusto-conical section arranged with the smaller end thereof uppermost, a cylindrical section formed integral with and projecting upwardly from the said smaller end of said frusto-conical section, radially expansible gripping means freely movable on and longitudinally of said frusto-conical section, a carrier for and operatively connected to said gripping means and freely slidably mounted on said cylindrical. section, and radially expansibleI packing means on said mandrel below said gripping means and arranged to be expanded into sealing contact with the inner surface of the tubing and to move said mandrel upwardly with respect to said gripping means to expand the same into gripping contact Wlth thc inner surface of the tubing b fluid pressure trapped in the string of tubing by and below said obstructive device said mandrel having a longitudinal bore therethrough and a bushing having threaded enga-gement with the lower end of said bore, said bushing having a bore ,of relatively small diameter as compared to the bore of the mandrel. l

9. An obstructive device for use within the bore of a flow string of tubin in a well, said device comprising a man rel freely movable within and with respect to said tubing and comprising a frusto-conical section arranged with the smaller end thereof uppermost, a cylindrical section formed integral with and projecting upwardly from the said smaller end of said frusto-conical section, radially expansible gripping means freely movable on and longitudinally of said frusto-conical section, a carrier for and operatively connected to said gripping means and freely slidably mounted on said cylindrical section, means on the upper end of `said cylindrical section for limiting the upward movement of said carrier on said cylindrical section, and radially expansible packing means on said mandrel below said gripping means and arranged to be expanded into sealing contact with the inner surface of the tubing and to move said mandrel upwardly with respect to'said gripping means lto expand the same into gripping contact with the inner surface of the tubing by Huid pressure trapped in the string of tubing by and below said obstructive device said manuppermost, a cylindrical section formed .integral with and projecting upwardly from the said smaller end of said frusto-conical section, radially expansible gripping means freely movable on and longitudinally of said frusto-conical section, a carrier for and operatively connected to said gripping means and freely slidably mounted on said cylindrical section, means on the upper end of said cylindrical section for limiting the upward movement of said carrier on said cylindrical section, a second cylindrical section formed integral with and projecting downwardly from the larger end of said frusto-conical section, and radially expansible packing means rigidly secured on the said lower cylindrical section of said mandrel below said gripping means andarranged to be expanded into sealing contact with the inner surface of the tubing and to move said mandrel upwardly with respect to said gripping means to expand the same into gripping contact with the inner surface of the tubing by vfluid pressure trapped iu the string of tubing by and below said obstructive device said mandrel having a' longitudinal bore therethrough and a bushing having threaded engagement -with the lower end of said bore, said bushing having a bore of relatively small diameter as compared to the bore of the mandrel.

11. An obstructive device for use Within the bore of a How string of tubin in a well, said device comprising a man rel freely movable within and with respect to said tubing and comprising a frusto-conical section arranged with the smaller end thereof uppermost, a cylindrical section formed integral with and projecting upwardly from the said smaller end of said frusto-conical section, radially expansible grippingl means freely movable on and longitudinally of said frusto-conical section, a carrier for and operatively connected to said gripping means and freely slidably mounted on said cylindrical section, means on the up er end of said cylindrical section for limitlng the upward movement -of said carrier on said cylindrical section, a second cylindrical section formed integral with and projecting downwardly from the larger end of said frusto-conical section, and radially expansible packing means rigidly secured on the said lower cylindrical section of said mandrel below said gripping means and arranged to be expanded into sealing contact with the inner surface of the tubing and to move said mandrel upwardly with respect to said gripping means to expand the same into gripping contact with the inner surface of the tubing by Huid pressuretrapped in the string of tubing by and below said obstructive device, said packing means comprising a plurality Dof relatively spaced cup washers having annular flanges projecting downwardly for trapping said fluid pressure therebelow said mandrel having a longitudinal bore therethrough and abushing having threaded engagement with the lower end of said bore, said bushing having a bore of relatively small diameter as compared to the bore of the mandrel.

12. An obstructive device for use within the bore of a low string of tubing in a well,

said device comprising a mandrel freely movable within'and with respect to said tubing and compxrising a frusto-conical section arranged wit the smaller end thereof uppermost a c lindrical section formed integral wit an l ro'ectin upwardly' from the said smaller en o said rusto-conical section, radially expansible gripping lmeans freely movable on and longitudinally of said frustoconical section, said gripping means comprising a plurality of segmental sections, a `carrier freely slidably mounted on said cylindrical section, means for operatively connecting each of said segments to said carrier, means on the upper end of said cylindrical section for limiting the u `ward movement of said carrier on said cy indrical section, and radially expansible packing vmeans on said mandrel below said gripping means and arranged to be expanded into sealing contact with the inner surface of the tubing and to move said mandrel upwardly with respect to said gripping means to expand the same into gripping contact with the inner surface of the tubing by fluid pressure trapped in the string of tubing by and below said obstructive device saidmandrel having a longitudinal boretherethrough anda bushing having threaded engagement with the lower end of said bore, said bushing having a bore of relatively small diameter as compared to thebore of the mandrel.

13. An obstructive device for use. in well tubing, said obstructive device comprising a mandrel having sealing means, slips associatedwith said mandrel and expanded for engagement with the tubing by relative movement of the mandrel with relation thereto, and means for positioning the mandrel in the Well tubing comprising a jarring device and frangible means operatively connecting the jarring device and mandrel.

14. An obstructive device for use in well tubing, said obstructive device comprising a mandrel having sealing means, slips associated with said mandrel and expanded for engagement with the tubing by relative movement of the mandrel with relation thereto, and means for positioning the mandrel in the well tubing lcomprising a jarring device and frangible means operatively connecting the jarring device and mandrel, the frangible means directly engaging the mandrel.

15. An obstructive device for use in well tubing said obstructive device comprisin a mandrel having sealing means, sli s associated with said mandrel and expan ed for engagement withthe tubing by relative movement of the mandrel with relation thereto, and means for' positioning the mandrel in the well tubing comprising a jarring device. and frangible means operatively connecting the jarring device and mandrel, the frangible means being connected with the slips.

' HERBERT C. OTIS. 

